WO2017002562A1

WO2017002562A1 - Flexible flat cable and image forming device

Info

Publication number: WO2017002562A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/067092
Authority: WO
Inventors: 悠一朗黒川
Original assignee: 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2015-06-29
Filing date: 2016-06-08
Publication date: 2017-01-05
Also published as: US20180182510A1; US10186347B2; JPWO2017002562A1; JP6399225B2

Abstract

A flexible flat cable (51) is provided with a plurality of conductive wires (52a), an insulative covering member (53), and a reinforcement plate (54). The plurality of conductive wires (52a) are each formed in a thin plate-like shape and are each disposed parallel to the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plurality of conductive wires (52a). The insulative covering member (53) covers one surface (55a) of each of at least the plurality of conductive wires (52a) in the thickness direction. The reinforcement plate (54) covers and reinforces the front end section (56) of the other surface (55a) of the each of at least the plurality of conductive wires (52a) in the thickness direction. The other surfaces (55b) of the conductive wires (52a) in the thickness direction thereof have exposed surfaces (57) which are located at positions adjacent to the front end sections (56) and which are not covered with the reinforcement plate (54) and with the cover member (53).

Description

Flexible flat cable and image forming apparatus

The present invention relates to a flexible flat cable and an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus typified by a multifunction machine or the like, after an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, light is irradiated to the photoconductor based on the read image with respect to the photoconductor provided in the image forming unit, An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor. Thereafter, a developer such as charged toner is supplied onto the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member to form a visible image, which is then transferred to a sheet, fixed by a fixing device, and discharged out of the image forming device. To do.

Some image forming apparatuses include, for example, an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable (flexible flat cable)) in an image reading unit. Techniques relating to FFC are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-196130 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-266658 (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-196130 JP 2001-266658 A

In order to prevent the mounted FFC from falling off the connector, for example, it is conceivable to provide a lock mechanism as disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, it is not preferable to provide such a locking mechanism from the viewpoint of cost because the structure becomes complicated. Moreover, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the rigidity of the portion where the conducting wire is exposed is insufficient. Therefore, the portion where the conducting wire is provided is raised by a plurality of FFC insertions and removals, and there is a problem from the viewpoint of durability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible flat cable that can ensure an appropriate electrical connection and has improved durability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved durability.

In one aspect of the present invention, a flexible flat cable includes a plurality of conductive wires, an insulating covering member, and a reinforcing plate. The plurality of conducting wires are each in the form of a thin plate, and are arranged in parallel to the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The insulating covering member covers at least one surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductive wires. The reinforcing plate covers and reinforces at least the tip of the other surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductors. The surface on the other side in the thickness direction of the conducting wire has an exposed surface that is not covered with the reinforcing plate and the covering member at a position adjacent to the tip.

In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a connector including a connection terminal, a flexible flat cable including a lead wire that is detachably provided with the connector and ensures electrical connection by contacting the connection terminal when mounted. Is provided. The flexible flat cable includes a plurality of conductive wires, an insulating covering member, and a reinforcing plate. The insulating covering member covers at least one surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductive wires. The reinforcing plate covers and reinforces at least the tip of the other surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductors. The surface on the other side in the thickness direction of the conducting wire has an exposed surface that is not covered with the reinforcing plate and the covering member at a position adjacent to the tip.

Such a flexible flat cable includes a reinforcing plate that covers and reinforces the other surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductive wires, so that rigidity can be increased and strength can be improved. Therefore, the rigidity of the flexible flat cable can be maintained even by a plurality of insertions / removals, and the connection terminals of the connector and the exposed portions of the conductive wires can be more appropriately brought into contact with each other. Further, the other surface in the thickness direction of the conducting wire has an exposed surface that is not covered by the reinforcing plate and the covering member at a position adjacent to the tip portion, so that the exposed surface is appropriate, for example, tilted in an oblique direction. Even when the connector and the flexible flat cable are attached, a short circuit between the plurality of conductors can be prevented. In addition, due to the step between the exposed surface where the conductor is exposed and the surface located on the outer side of the reinforcing plate, there is a risk that the connector will be caught when it comes into contact with the connector and the connector will fall off. Can be reduced. Therefore, such a flexible flat cable can ensure electrical connection more appropriately, and can improve durability.

Further, according to such an image forming apparatus, durability can be improved.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus including a flexible flat cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading unit included in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a part of flexible flat cable with which a multifunction device is equipped. It is a figure which shows a part of external appearance of a flexible flat cable. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the connector with the flexible flat cable in which the reinforcement board is not provided, and shows the case where a flexible flat cable is attached straight with respect to the attachment position of a connector. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the connector with the flexible flat cable in which the reinforcement board is not provided, and shows the case where a flexible flat cable is attached inclining with respect to the attachment position of a connector. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the connector with the flexible flat cable shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and shows the case where a flexible flat cable is attached straight with respect to the attachment position of a connector. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the connector with the flexible flat cable shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and shows the case where a flexible flat cable is attached inclining with respect to the attachment position of a connector. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus including a flexible flat cable (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as FFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction device when applied to the multifunction device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 11 includes a control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14 including an FFC 51 and

connectors

61 a and 61 b, an image forming unit 15, and a paper setting unit 19. , A discharge tray 30, a hard disk 16 as a storage unit, a facsimile communication unit 17, and a network interface unit 18 for connecting to a network 25.

The control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction machine 11. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 that displays information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 11 side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 inputs image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a mounting table (not shown). The paper setting unit 19 includes a manual feed tray 28 for manually setting paper and a paper feed cassette group 29 that can store a plurality of different sizes of paper. The paper setting unit 19 sets paper to be supplied to the image forming unit 15. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on the sheet conveyed from the sheet setting unit 19 based on the image read by the image reading unit 14 and the image data transmitted via the network 25. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is discharged to the discharge tray 30. The hard disk 16 stores transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like. The facsimile communication unit 17 is connected to the public line 24 and performs facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

The multifunction machine 11 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that writes and reads image data, but illustration and description thereof are omitted. In addition, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the sheet cassette group 29 includes three

sheet cassettes

23a, 23b, and 23c.

The multifunction machine 11 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 14. Further, the multifunction machine 11 forms an image in the image forming unit 15 and prints it on a sheet using the image data transmitted from the

computers

26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the network 25 through the network interface unit 18. It operates as a printer. That is, the image forming unit 15 operates as a printing unit that prints the requested image. The MFP 11 uses the image data transmitted from the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17 to form an image in the image forming unit 15 via the DRAM and is read by the image reading unit 14. The image data of the original is transmitted to the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17, thereby operating as a facsimile apparatus. The multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in detail.

The image forming system 27 including the multifunction peripheral 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the multifunction peripheral 11 having the above-described configuration and a plurality of

computers

26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the multifunction peripheral 11 via the network 25. Prepare.

Next, a part of the configuration of the image reading unit 14 included in the multifunction machine 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the configuration of the image reading unit 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, the image reading unit 14 includes a scanning unit 31 that reads an image of a document placed on a placement table (not shown). The scanning unit 31 is configured, for example, by arranging a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) in the main scanning direction, an exposure unit that irradiates light toward the mounting table, a plurality of mirrors, and a lens that collects the light. And a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor (none of which is shown) as an image sensor. The scanning unit 31 is disposed in a housing 32 provided in the image reading unit 14.

Scanning unit 31, the motor, pulleys, by the moving mechanism 33 consists of a pair of sliders is configured to be moved in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow D ₁ or the opposite direction in FIG. When the scanning unit 31 moves, the scanning unit 31 is guided by a pair of

guide shafts

34a and 34b that extend in the sub-scanning direction and are arranged in parallel in the housing 32 with a space therebetween.

A control circuit 35 to which image data of a document read by the scanning unit 31 is input is provided at the bottom of the housing 32. The scanning unit 31 and the control circuit 35 are electrically connected by an FFC 51. Specifically, one end of the FFC 51 is attached and connected to a first connector 61 a provided in the control circuit 35. The other end of the FFC 51 is attached to and connected to a second connector 61 b provided in the scanning unit 31. The FFC 51 is detachably attached to the first and

second connectors

61a and 61b.

Next, the configuration of the FFC 51 provided in the image reading unit 14 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the FFC 51 provided in the image reading unit 14. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of the appearance of the FFC 51.

4 and 5, the FFC 51 includes a plurality of thin plate-like, in this case, eight conducting

wires

52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g, and 52h. The thickness direction of the conductive wires 52a ~ 52h of conductivity is indicated by the direction or the opposite direction of arrow D ₂ in FIG. The eight conducting wires 52a to 52h are arranged in parallel with a space in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

The FFC 51 includes an insulating covering member 53 that covers the entire surface 55a on one side in the thickness direction of the conducting wires 52a to 52h. The conductors 52a to 52h are ensured of insulation on the surface 55a side by the covering member 53.

Further, the FFC 51 has a surface 55b on the other side in the thickness direction of the conductors 52a to 52h so that a part of the surface 55b on the other side in the thickness direction excluding a region where the tip portions 56 of the conductors 52a to 52h are located is exposed. The reinforcing plate 54 is provided to cover and reinforce. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing plates 54 are provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the conducting wires 52a to 52h. Specifically, except for the exposed surface 57 exposed to the outside provided on the conducting wires 52a to 52h, the tip 56 is folded back from the other surface 55b of the conducting wires 52a to 52h to the one surface 55a of the conducting wires 52a to 52h. A reinforcing plate 54 is provided so as to cover the outer side. That is, the other surface 55b in the thickness direction of the conducting wires 52a to 52h has an exposed surface 57 that is not covered by the reinforcing plate 54 and the covering member 53 at a position adjacent to the tip 56. In addition, in the regions where the reinforcing plate 54 is not provided in the conducting wires 52a to 52h, the insulating covering members 53 are provided on both sides in the thickness direction. Therefore, regarding the portion covering the conductive wires 52a to 52h, the thickness of the tip region 60 of the FFC 51 is thicker on one side in the thickness direction than on the other side in the thickness direction by the thickness of the covering member 53. The reinforcing plate 54 is also made of an insulating member.

When the FFC 51 is attached to the connector 61a, the connection terminal 62 is slightly bent toward the FFC 51, and the contact portion 63 of the connection terminal 62 comes into contact with the exposed surface 57. Contact is thus ensured between the conductor 52a and the connection terminal 62.

Here, there is a step between the exposed surface 57 where the conductive wires 52a to 52h are exposed and the surface 58 located on the outer side of the reinforcing plate 54. In this case, a surface 59 of the reinforcing plate 54 that is continuous with the exposed surface 57 on the distal end portion 56 side is configured to extend from the exposed surface 57 in a vertical direction. The surface 59 is a flat surface.

The FFC 51 having such a configuration includes the reinforcing plate 54 that covers and reinforces the other surface 55b in the thickness direction of the conducting wires 52a to 52h. Therefore, the rigidity can be increased and the strength can be improved. Therefore, the rigidity of the FFC 51 can be maintained even by a plurality of insertions / removals, and the connection terminals 62 of the connector 61a and the exposed surfaces 57 of the conducting wires 52a to 52h can be more appropriately brought into contact with each other. Further, the surface 55b on the other side in the thickness direction of the conducting wires 52a to 52h has an exposed surface 57 that is not covered by the reinforcing plate 54 and the covering member 53 at a position adjacent to the tip portion 56. For example, even when the connector 61a and the FFC 51 are mounted in an oblique direction, a short circuit between the conductors 52a to 52h can be prevented. Further, the step between the exposed surface 57 where the conductive wires 52a to 52h are exposed and the surface 58 located on the outer side of the reinforcing plate 54 causes a catch when the connection terminal 62 of the connector 61a is brought into contact. The risk of falling off from the connector 61a can be reduced. Therefore, such FFC 51 can ensure a more appropriate electrical connection, and can improve durability.

Further, since the reinforcing plates 54 are provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the plurality of conducting wires 52a to 52h, the rigidity can be further increased.

Here, the point that the FFC 51 can prevent a short circuit between the conducting wires 52a to 52h will be described. 6 and 7 are views showing a state where the FFC 66 not provided with the reinforcing plate is attached to the connector 61a. FIG. 6 shows a case where the FFC 66 is properly attached, that is, straightly attached to the attachment position of the connector 61a. FIG. 7 shows a case where the FFC 66 is attached at an inclination with respect to the attachment position of the connector 61a.

First, referring to FIG. 6, the

conductors

67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, 67f, 67g, and 67h are configured to be exposed except for the portion where the covering member 68 is provided. When the FFC 66 is attached straight to the connector 61a, as shown in FIG. 6, the respective conductors 67a to 67h and the

respective connection terminals

64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, 64e, 64f, 64g, 64h Is in proper contact. In FIGS. 6 to 9, the contact area of the contact terminals 64a to 64h is indicated by hatching.

On the other hand, when the FFC 66 is attached while being inclined with respect to the connector 61a, the respective conductors 67a to 67h and the respective connection terminals 64a to 64h are not properly in contact as shown in FIG. Furthermore, for example, in the connection terminal 64a, the connection terminal is in contact with two adjacent conductors so as to be in contact with both of the conductors 67a and 67b. If it does so, a short circuit will arise and the possibility of damage to FFC66 will become high.

8 and 9 are views showing a state in which the FFC 51 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is attached to the connector 61a. 8 corresponds to FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the FFC 51 is attached straight to the connector 61a, the conductors 52a to 52h are appropriately connected to the connection terminals 64a to 64h.

Further, when the FFC 51 is attached to the connector 61a while being inclined, the respective conductors 52a to 52h and the respective connection terminals 64a to 64h are not properly in contact with each other. However, since the exposed surfaces of the conductors 52a to 52h are relatively small, any of the connection terminals 64a to 64h does not contact any two of the conductors 52a to 52h, and the conductors 52a to 52h are not in contact with each other. There is no short circuit. That is, the risk of damage to the FFC 51 is reduced.

As described above, according to the FFC 51 having such a configuration, it is possible to ensure electrical connection more appropriately and improve durability.

Further, according to such a multifunction machine 11, since the FFC 51 having the above-described configuration is provided, durability can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the reinforcing plate 54 is provided so as to cover the outer side of the covering member 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reinforcing plate 54 is not disposed on the outer side of the covering member 53. It is good also as a structure. In other words, the reinforcing plate 54 may be configured to cover and reinforce the tip 56 of the surface 55b on the other side in the thickness direction of at least the plurality of conducting wires 52a to 52h.

In the above-described embodiment, the surface 59 connected to the exposed surface 57 on the distal end portion 56 side of the reinforcing plate 54 is a flat surface. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the distal end of the reinforcing plate 54 is not limited thereto. The surface 59 connected to the exposed surface 57 on the side of the portion 56 may be configured by a curved surface such as an arc surface, for example.

In the above embodiment, the surface 59 connected to the exposed surface 57 on the distal end portion 56 side of the reinforcing plate 54 is configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the exposed surface 57, but is not limited thereto. For example, you may comprise so that the angle which the surface 59 and the exposed surface 57 which continue to the exposed surface 57 by the side of the front-end | tip part 56 among the reinforcement boards 54 may make an obtuse angle.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the FFC 71 in this case. FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10, an FFC 71 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of conductive wires 72, an insulating covering member 73, and a reinforcing plate 74. The plurality of conductive wires 72 are each in the form of a thin plate, and are arranged in parallel to the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The covering member 73 covers a surface 75 a on one side in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductive wires 72. The reinforcing plate 74 covers and reinforces the distal end portion 76 of the surface 75b on the other side in the thickness direction of the plurality of conducting wires 72. The other surface 75 b in the thickness direction of the conducting wire 72 has an exposed surface 77 that is not covered with the reinforcing plate 74 and the covering member 73 at a position adjacent to the tip 76. Here, the angle formed by the exposed surface 77 and the surface 79 connected to the exposed surface 77 on the distal end 76 side of the reinforcing plate 74 is an obtuse angle. By comprising in this way, the rising at the time of insertion / extraction from the connector 61a of FFC71 can be reduced.

Further, the angle formed between the exposed surface 77 and the surface 79 connected to the exposed surface 77 on the tip 76 side of the reinforcing plate 74 may be an acute angle. By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent the connector 61a from falling off.

In the above-described embodiment, the

FFCs

51 and 71 are provided in the multi-function device 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided in other electronic devices.

It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed this time are examples in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

The FFC and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are particularly effectively used when improvement in durability is required.

Claims

A plurality of conductive wires each having a thin plate shape and arranged in parallel to a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction;
An insulating covering member covering at least one surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductors;
A reinforcing plate that covers and reinforces the tip of the surface on the other side in the thickness direction of at least the plurality of conducting wires,
The surface of the other side in the thickness direction of the conducting wire is a flexible flat cable having an exposed surface not covered with the reinforcing plate and the covering member at a position adjacent to the tip.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the reinforcing plate that is continuous with the exposed surface on the tip end side extends in a direction perpendicular to the exposed surface.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed between a surface of the reinforcing plate that is continuous with the exposed surface on the tip end side and the exposed surface is an obtuse angle.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing plate is provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the plurality of conducting wires.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a connector including a connection terminal; and a flexible flat cable including a conductor that is provided so as to be detachable from the connector and that is brought into contact with the connection terminal when mounted.
The flexible flat cable is
A plurality of conductive wires each having a thin plate shape and arranged in parallel to a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction;
An insulating covering member covering at least one surface in the thickness direction of the plurality of conductors;
A reinforcing plate that covers and reinforces the tip of the surface on the other side in the thickness direction of at least the plurality of conducting wires,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the other surface in the thickness direction of the conductive wire has an exposed surface that is not covered by the reinforcing plate and the covering member at a position adjacent to the tip portion.